The Ultimate Peanut Butter Banana Bars Recipe for Sweet Treats

Peanut butter banana bars blend two beloved flavors into a delightful sweet treat that satisfies serious cravings.

Creamy and rich ingredients merge seamlessly in this simple dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Soft textures complement each other, creating a harmonious balance between nutty and fruity notes.

Home bakers love how quickly these bars come together with minimal kitchen equipment.

Moist and tender, these bars offer a quick solution for sudden snack attacks or unexpected guest arrivals.

The subtle sweetness from ripe bananas perfectly complements the deep, robust flavor of roasted peanuts.

Nutritious and indulgent, this recipe refines ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to refine your kitchen into a delectable paradise.

Peanut Butter Banana Bars Everyone Craves

• Indulge in Quick Comfort: These peanut butter banana bars offer a speedy, heartwarming treat that takes minimal effort and delivers maximum satisfaction in just 30 minutes.
• Celebrate Wholesome Simplicity: Packed with nutritious ingredients like oats, bananas, and peanut butter, these bars transform basic pantry staples into a delightful, guilt-free snack that feels like a homemade hug.
• Customize with Chocolate Bliss: The scattered chocolate chips provide a perfect sweet contrast to the creamy banana and nutty peanut butter, creating a playful texture and irresistible flavor combination that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Effortless One-Bowl Wonder: With minimal dishes and straightforward mixing technique, this recipe welcomes baking beginners and busy home cooks, promising delicious results without complicated steps or extensive cleanup.

All You Need to Make These Nutty Banana Bars

• Bananas: Super ripe bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture to the bars.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm depth and rounds out the flavor profile.

• Peanut Butter: Natural, unsweetened variety provides creamy richness and helps bind ingredients.
• Oats: Quick-cooking oats create hearty texture and add nutritional fiber.

• Baking Powder: Helps bars rise and maintain a light, soft texture.
• Salt: Balances sweet flavors and enhances overall taste.
• Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful chocolate bursts throughout the bars, with some for mixing and some for topping.

Simple Steps to Bake Peanut Butter Banana Bars

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to 350°F. Grab a loaf pan and coat it with cooking spray or line with parchment paper for super easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create Banana Magic

Grab ripe bananas and mash them in a big mixing bowl until they’re mostly smooth. Stir in creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract until everything looks perfectly blended.

Step 3: Build Your Dry Foundation

• Rolled oats
• Salt
• Baking powder

Mix everything together until it looks like a delicious, cohesive batter.

Step 4: Add Chocolate Goodness

Gently fold in most of your chocolate chips, saving a handful for topping. Pour the entire mixture into your prepared pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips across the top for extra yumminess.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a knife into the center- it should come out clean. Let the bars cool completely before slicing into 6-8 delightful servings.

Pro Tip: These bars taste amazing when slightly warm and can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days at room temperature.

Tips for Soft and Moist Banana Bars

• Banana Selection: Choose ripe, soft bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and easier mashing.
• Peanut Butter Precision: Use creamy, natural peanut butter without added sugars for a cleaner, more authentic flavor profile.
• Mixing Technique: Stir ingredients gently to prevent overmixing, which can make bars dense and tough.
• Chocolate Chip Distribution: Ensure even chocolate chip spread by folding slowly and reserving some for a beautiful topping.
• Cooling Wisdom: Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to help them set and maintain a perfect texture.

Storing and Reheating Peanut Butter Bars Easily

• Refrigerate: Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
• Freeze: Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Reheat: Warm bars in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a toaster oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes until slightly heated through. Enjoy the bars slightly warm for the best texture and taste.

Snacks and Drinks That Pair with Banana Bars

• Sip Creamy Milk Companion: Cold, fresh milk perfectly complements the rich peanut butter and chocolate flavors, cutting through the dense sweetness and providing a smooth, refreshing contrast.
• Pair with Nutty Coffee Blend: A medium-roast coffee with nutty undertones will enhance the peanut butter's depth, creating a harmonious breakfast or afternoon treat experience.
• Match with Vanilla Yogurt Dollop: Creamy vanilla yogurt adds a tangy, light element that balances the bars' intense flavors, making each bite more complex and enjoyable.
• Enjoy with Caramel Latte Twist: A warm caramel latte's sweetness and warmth will elevate the banana and chocolate notes, transforming the bars into a delightful indulgent moment.

Ways to Customize Peanut Butter Banana Bars

• Nutty Banana Crunch: Replace chocolate chips with chopped almonds and add a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra warmth and texture.
• Tropical Fusion: Mix in shredded coconut and swap regular peanut butter with coconut peanut butter for a vacation-inspired treat.
• Berry Bliss: Fold in fresh blueberries or dried cranberries to introduce a tangy fruit element and increase nutritional value.
• Protein Power: Incorporate a scoop of vanilla protein powder to transform these bars into a post-workout snack with added muscle-building benefits.

Peanut Butter Banana Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy peanut butter banana bars offer a delightful twist on classic dessert bars. Rich with natural sweetness and nutty depth, these bars provide a perfect balance of comfort and indulgence for quick snacks or afternoon treats you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 bananas (super ripe)
• ¼ cup (59 milliliters) smooth, natural peanut butter
• 1 ¼ cups (113 grams) instant or quick-cooking oats
• ½ cup (85 grams) chocolate chips

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt

Leavening Agent:

• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) baking powder

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining a loaf pan with parchment paper or applying a light grease coating to prevent sticking.
2. Select ripe bananas and transform them into a silky smooth puree using a fork or potato masher, ensuring minimal lumps remain.
3. Introduce creamy peanut butter and fragrant vanilla extract to the mashed bananas, stirring until the mixture becomes uniform and glossy.
4. Gently incorporate rolled oats, a pinch of salt, and baking powder into the banana-peanut butter blend, mixing until all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
5. Reserve a portion of chocolate chips for garnishing, then delicately fold the remaining chips into the batter, creating pockets of chocolatey goodness.
6. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, using a spatula to create an even surface and distribute the mixture uniformly.
7. Artfully scatter the remaining chocolate chips across the top of the batter, ensuring an appealing and appetizing appearance.
8. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, monitoring until a knife emerges clean when inserted into the center.
9. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, which helps them set and makes slicing easier.
10. Slice into 6-8 servings, revealing the moist, chocolatey interior, and enjoy your homemade peanut butter banana bars.

Notes

• Discover a quick, no-fuss treat that transforms overripe bananas into a delightful snack bursting with peanut butter and chocolate chip goodness.
• Flexible recipe allows swapping ingredients like almond butter or adding nuts for extra crunch and personalized flavor.
• Perfect for meal prep, these bars store wonderfully in an airtight container for up to 5 days, making breakfast or snack time a breeze.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg